Do you have an interest in the forest and would like some free education? Heavenly Mountain ski resort in Lake Tahoe is offering a U.S. Forest Service Ski with a Ranger program that takes twice each week for the remainder of the ski season.
Heavenly Mountain resumed its U.S. Forest Service Ski with a Ranger Program on Friday, Jan. 22. The free offering takes place at 1 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays through the remainder of the ski season.
“It’s kind of like Forest Service 101,” Tahoe Basin Forest Service program coordinator Megan Dee said. “You’re getting a plethora of information about resource management while having fun. It’s a really engaging way to learn what the Forest Service does.”
The roughly hour-long tour includes information about Lake Tahoe Basin history, local flora and fauna and the relationship between the ski industry and the Forest Service.
“It’s pretty cool. They have several stops along the way. They talk about how the lake was formed, habitat, prescribed fire operations, stuff like that. It’s pretty interesting,” said Forest Service spokesman Lisa Herron. “I don’t know if a lot of people know that they are skiing on National Forest Land.”
U.S. Forest Service Conservation Education staff and volunteers run the tour in partnership with Heavenly and the Explore Tahoe Visitor Center. Volunteers lead the guided tours along a pre-planned route once a week. Tours take place on beginner and intermediate ski runs only. Intermediate level skiing or snowboarding ability is recommended.
Tours meet twice a week at the top of the Heavenly Gondola. The Ski with a Ranger program began as a community outreach program in the late 1970s.
“Enjoy fresh air while enjoying amazing views of the Lake Tahoe area,” Dee said, calling the offering a natural and cultural history tour. “Locals and visitors alike will learn something new.”
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffweidel and visit his website at www.tahoeskiworld.com.
